Resolved, That Mr. Charles G. Curtis, of Fishkill, Dutchess County, New York, and Mr. F. M. Mead, of Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut, be nominated to the United States Government as suitable persons for appointment as Indian agents. We settled nothing in gard to location, not being possessed of sufficient information. Besides, it seemed best to us those gentlemen should confer with the board of commissioners, and themselves select their place of labor. We expect as soon as possible to undertake the Christian instruction of the selected tribes. We must find the proper men as missionaries or teachers, and that will demand a little time. The disposition of our board is to coöperate heartily with the Government in the endeavor to improve the disposition and condition of our American Indians. If we can carry out our own methods of working—and there does not seem to be any reason why we may not-we may expect, under God, to accomplish results as desirable as those obtained in China and India by our representatives there. The main difficulty will be to obtain the services of just such men as we wish for. If there is any information, or any directions that we ought to have, be so kind as to let me have them. Respectfully and sincerely yours, VINCENT COLYER, Esq., Secretary, &c. J. M. FERRIS, Corresponding Secretary. APPENDIX 26. INTERPRETATION OF THE NEW LAW GIVING SUPERVISORY POWER OF THE BOARD. WASHINGTON, July 19, 1870. SIR: Will you favor our board of Indian commissioners with your interpretation of that portion of the new Indian appropriation law, which says: "It shall be the duty of said commissioners to supervise all expenditures of money appropriated for the benefit of the Indians in the United States, and to inspect all goods purchased for said Indians, in connection with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, whose duty it shall be to consult said commissioners in making purchases of such goods." It is more particularly with reference to the first clause, as contained in the first three lines, that there may be a word or two of explanation desirable. Our wish is simply to obtain from you your idea of about what the House of Representatives expect from us, in order that we may neither transcend nor fall short of our duty under the above law. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. AARON A. SARGENT, of California, VINCENT COLYER, Secretary. Chairman of Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives. APPENDIX 27. COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, July 20, 1870. DEAR SIR: In answer to your note asking my interpretation of the following provision of the new Indian appropriation bill, viz: "It shall be the duty of said commissioners to supervise all expenditures of money appropriated for the benefit of the Indians in the United States, and to inspect all goods purchased for said Indians, in connection with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, whose duty it shall be to consult said commissioners in making purchases of said goods," I reply that it seems to me its meaning is on the surface. Congress desires that your commission shall oversee and advise in all contracts for or purchases of Indian goods; shall see that the articles bought are suitable, and the prices reasonable; that the kind and amount of goods contracted for are delivered; that annuities are properly paid; that presents are justly and judiciously given; in short, that you shall "supervise all expenditures of money appropriated for the Indians." This is expressly made your duty by the statute, and your board must fulfill it or resign. It makes it the duty also of the Indian Commissioner to consult your board in all purchases for the Indians. You do not expend the money, for that is the duty of the Commissioner. But you have a right to know of and advise in all expenditures, all receipts for goods, &c. In case of a difference of opinion between yourself and the officer charged with the disbursement, you can only advise and report to the Secretary the facts which induce your dissent. I do not think, however, in view of the earnest desire of the Secretary and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for an honest and efficient administration of Indian affairs, that your board will have any difficulty in complying with the requirements of the provision in question. Respectfully, VINCENT COLYER, Esq., Secretary Board of Indian Commissioners. A. A. SARGENT. APPENDIX 28. PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, June 3, 1870. DEAR SIR: At the last meeting of the board of Indian commissioners I was not able to inform the committee intrusted with the duty of advising with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in regard to the purchase of goods, at what time the spring purchases would be made, and their services required. It is desirable that they should have some notice in advance, so as to suit their arrangements to your convenience. I will be obliged to you if you will let me know when you propose to make the purchases, and to confer with the committee on the subject. Please address reply to Mr. Colyer's office, as I expect to be in Washington on Monday, 6th instant. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. E. S. PARKER, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. FELIX R. BRUNOT. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. C., July 18, 1870. SIR: The Indian appropriation bill having been passed by Congress on the 15th instant, I am now able to answer your letter of the 3d ultimo, relative to the time when the purchase of Indian goods will take place. I shall be in New York on Thursday, the 21st instant, with a view of making the necessary Indian purchases, and I shall be happy to meet you, or any of the commissioners, at 10 o'clock a. m. at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, for consultation as to the best method of proceeding expeditiously in this business. The season is so far advanced that no time can be lost in this matter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FELIX R. BRUNOT, esq., E. S. PARKER, Commissioner. President Board of Indian Commission, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. APPENDIX 29. INTERIOR DEPARTMENT, Washington, December 19, 1870 SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter dated 17th instant, from the Hon. Vincent Colyer, secretary of the board of Indian commissioners, in relation to the present condition of the Apache Indian tribes of New Mexico and Arizona, and asking that an appropriation of $30,000 be immediately made to bring these Indians upon reservations, subsist, maintain peace, and promote civilization among them. Feeling the necessity of putting an end to the disorders which have so long hindered the development of this portion of our country, I heartily concur in asking for this appropriation. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. AARON A. SARGENT, C. DELANO, Secretary of the Interior. Sub-Committee on Indian Appropriations, House of Representatives. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, SIR: I heartily concur in the recommendation of the Hon. Vincent Colyer, secretary of the board of Indian commissioners, asking that an appropriation of $70,000 be placed in the bill providing for the current expenses of the Indian Department for the ensuing year, in addition to the $30,000 asked for in my previous note of this date, as a special appropriation to meet immediate necessities, of promoting peace, bringing in upon reservations, subsisting, and civilizing the Apache Indians of Arizona and New Mexico, believing this method far better than continuing to endeavor to subdue them by military force, which, aside from its cruelty, would cost millions. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. AARON A. SARGENT, C. DELANO, Secretary of the Interior. Sub-Committee on Appropriations for Indians, House of Representatives. WASHINGTON, D. C., December 17, 1870. SIR: I have the honor to call your attention to that portion of the report of our board for the year 1869, page 55, relating to the condition of the Apache Indians of Arizona and New Mexico, who were then "gathered like a flock of sheep at a place called Cañada Alamosa, near Fort McRea, New Mexico, wishing to be placed upon a reservation, and asking that they should be attended to without delay, that many lives and much treasure might be saved." Since that time. a very limited amount of subsistence has been dealt out to a small portion of these Apaches, under the direction of the Department, by Lieutenant A. J. Hennisee, the agent of the tribe, sufficient, however, to demonstrate, beyond question, that if the appropriation had been larger, the whole of the Apaches of both New Mexico and Arizona might, long before this, have been brought into peaceful relations with the Government, and the rich and bountiful resources of these two great Territories have been thrown open to the tide of enterprising emigration awaiting to settle thereon. In the earnest controversy upon the Indian appropriation bill between the Senate and House of Representatives, at the close of the last session of Congress, this important subject was overlooked and the appropriation left out of the bill. There are no funds in the Treasury, at the disposal of the Indian Department, which can be used for this purpose; and inasmuch as both the reports of the Agent, Hennisee, and Special Agent W. F. M. Arny, (who has lately returned from an extended official tour of inspection to the Apache tribes,) plainly show, that unless something be immediately done to continue the good work so hopefully commenced of bringing in and placing upon reservations these Indians, a golden opportunity will have been lost for settling this troublesome business. In view of these facts, I earnestly ask that an appropriation of $100,000 be recommended by you as necessary to promote peace, bring these Apaches of Arizona and New Mexico upon reservations, and subsist and civilize them for the ensuing year; and that of this amount $30,000 be asked for as a special appropriation to meet the immediate necessities of the Department. Copies of the official communication of Lieutenant Charles E. Drew, the former agent, Lieutenant A. G. Hennisee, agent, of W. F. M. Arny, esq., and of our board, relating to the subject, are herewith appended. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, VINCENT COLYER, Special Indian Commissioner and Secretary of the Board. Hon. COLUMBUS DELANO, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. C., December 21, 1870. SIR: In reply to your inquiry of this date asking whether there are or are not funds at the disposal of this Department which can be used to bring the Apache Indians of New Mexico and Arizona upon reservations and subsist them, at the present time, I have to say, that there are no funds now on hand that can be used for the purpose stated without taking funds that will be required to carry on the several agencies in said Territories, and to defray the current expenses thereof up to the 30th of June next. To collect and subsist so large a number of Indians as the Apaches will incur an ex traordinary expense; hence the necessity of an appropriation to carry out the object contemplated. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, VINCENT COLYER, Secretary Indian Commission, present. H. R. CLUM, Acting Commissioner. I certify that the above is a correct copy of the letter received yesterday by me. VINCENT COLYER. DECEMBER 22, 1870. APPENDIX 30. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS, SIR: The President directs me to call on you and see if the War Department cannot promptly issue an order for the officer commanding the Department of New Mexico to subsist the Apache Indians of New Mexico and Southeastern Arizona, now collected or soon to assemble at Cañada Alamosa, New Mexico, and, having him keep a correct account of the expense, charge the same to the Indian Bureau. The Indian Department having no funds specially set apart for the purpose of subsisting the Apaches, and barely sufficient to carry on the current expenses of the Indian agency of New Mexico and Arizona, have, through our board, with the earnest indorsement of the Secretary of the Interior, applied to Congress for an appropriation of thirty thousand dollars for this special purpose. The House of Representatives passed the bill the day it was sent in, but Congress having adjourned over the holidays, it must await the action of the Senate until the 4th of January next. The President says the War Department has the power to issue such an order, and if the Adjutant General of the Army, in the absence of the Secretary of War, will draw up the order and send it over to him, he (the President) will promptly sign it. I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, VINCENT COLYER, Secretary of the Board. Major General E. D. TOWNSEND, Adjutant General of the Army, War Department, Washington, D. C. The Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs suggests, that inasmuch as a portion of the Apache Indians to be subsisted are the Mescaleros, of the eastern side of the Rio Grande, the order had better read, "near that river," and rations should be issued to the Apaches at such place as the superintendent of Indian affairs of New Mexico may designate. V. C. [Indorsements.] ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Respectfully referred to the Commissary General of Subsistence, with request for immediate return, with remarks. E. D. TOWNSEND. OFFICE OF COMMISSARY GENERAL OF SUBSISTENCE, December 23, 1870. Respectfully returned to the Adjutant General, with the remark that under section 16 of the act of June 30, 1834, the President has authority to order the Indians herein mentioned to be subsisted from such Army provisions as can be spared without injury to the service. Such stores can be spared from supplies now on hand, or can be provided from the present appropriations for the subsistence of the Army without injury to the service. A. B. EATON, Commissary General of Subsistence. EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 23, 1870. The Indians herein mentioned will be supplied by the Subsistence Department of the Army with such subsistence as can be spared without injury to the service, the cost to be refunded by the Indian Department. U.S. GRANT. (APPENDIX 31.) WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, SIR Referring to your communication of the 23d instant, requesting that the commanding officer, district of New Mexico, be directed to subsist the Apache Indians to be collected or soon to assemble at Cañada Alamosa, New Mexico, the cost to be refunded by the Indian Bureau, I have the honor to inform you that the commanding officer of said district, to whom instructions were issued as requested, telegraphed that the articles required are fresh beef and corn, of which there is no surplus in the district. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. D. TOWNSEND, Adjutant General. PARAJÉ, NEW MEXICO, October 31, 1870. * I believe that the reservation should be established, and that the Indians should be informed that the Government would feed and clothe them while they live upon it, and that those who do not go upon the reservation will be considered at war; also all who leave the reservation, temporarily, under any circumstances whatever. At present, and while the Department allows these Indians and Mexicans to live together, and feeds them only half a pound of grain, and half a pound of meat daily, they cannot be controlled. I think it unnecessary to repeat any of the recommendations which I have made in regard to the plan of dealing with these Indians, or to forward more estimates of clothing, &c., but I trust that more food and a sufficient quantity of clothing to protect them during the coming winter may be issued as early as possible. If I had, to-day, the food and clothing which I have asked for, I could have from 1,500 to 2,000 Indians at the agency before January 1, 1871. I believe that this agency is now the most important in the Territory. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. G. HENNISEE, First Lieutenant United States Army, Indian Agent. Major WILLIAM CLINTON, U. S. A., [Indorsement.] OFFICE SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Santa Fe, New Mexico, November 8, 1870. Respectfully forwarded: I can add nothing to Lieutenant Hennisee's report, except to add that should he or his successor be furnished with sufficient means, and the other agencies, viz: the Navajoes, and the agencies at Cimarron and Abiquiu, be furnished with sufficient means to meet the actual wants of the Indians, that no fears of trouble from the Indians need be entertained; but should their wants not be supplied, I have no doubt but that they will supply themselves from the inhabitants. WM. CLINTON, Major United States Army, Superintendent Indian Affairs for New Mexico. Report on the Apache Indians of New Mexico and Arizona, by W. F. M. Arny, special agent for Indian service in New Mexico, November 21, 1870. ABIQUIU INDIAN AGENCY, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, November, 1870. SIR: I have the honor to report that since the 1st day of May, 1870, I have traveled in New Mexico and in the eastern portion of Arizona Territory 3,114 miles; and have seen and held councils with the chiefs, headmen, and braves of every tribe and band of wild Indians, except two parties of Mescalero Apaches, under Cadelle and Ne Paz, who are on the war-path; the former with the Comanches in Texas, and the latter in the southeastern corner of New Mexico; and I am fully satisfied that the wild Indians of New Mexico are now in a condition to be placed upon reservations so as to be civil |